What is forgiveness? Why is it important? How do I forgive?

First of all, forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to trust the person who wronged you, hurt you or abused you. It simply means that you release them from being punished for what they did to you. (Romans 12: 18-20, 14:10,13)

When you hold unforgiveness towards someone:

  • you are giving demons permission to torment you  (Lamentations 1:19-20; 1 Peter 5:8)
  • you yourself will be judged (Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-4)
  • God will not forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15) and
  • your prayers will be hindered (Psalm 17, Proverbs 15:29).

That is why you must forgive!

Start by praying “Holy Spirit I need your help to forgive people. I can’t do this on my own. Help me to let go of all the issues that are holding me back and hindering my prayers. Search my heart and show me any agreements I have made with the enemy, and grant me the grace of a deep and true repentance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

1. Forgive the person specifically. Name the person and all of the specific actions they did. Say out loud “I forgive ____ for _____. I let go of the wrongs that have been committed against me.” (Luke 6:37-38)

2. Ask God to forgive the person who wronged you. Say out loud “Father forgive _____ for _____.” (Mark 11:25)

3. Confess your own sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, revenge, resentment, frustration, anger, wrath, hatred, slander, judgement and malice. Confess all sin in how you responded to being hurt, abused or offended. Repent and seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Say out loud, “I receive my forgiveness and cleansing in Jesus’ name and by His precious blood”. (Acts 2:38)

4. Release the person from any judgements you have made against them. Say out loud, “I release _____ from all judgements I have made against them. Forgive me for condemning them Father. I give up any resentment that I feel toward them. I choose to see them through your eyes of love from now on Father.” (Luke 4:18-19)

5. Forgive yourself for any sins you have committed. Say out loud “I forgive myself for _____. I release myself from any judgments I have made against myself. Forgive me for condemning myself Father. I choose to see myself through your eyes of love from now on. Thank you for blotting out my sins and that You don’t remember my sins anymore.” (Isaiah 23:45)

6. Confess anything you are holding against God. Say out loud “I’m sorry for holding _____ against you Father. Forgive me for wrongly judging you. I choose to believe you are always perfect, that you only do good things and that you have plans to prosper me and not to harm me”. (Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:31)

7. Say out loud “In Jesus name, I command all lying and tormenting spirits to get out of my life now! I command freedom to my body, soul, spirit, family and finances. Thank you God for setting me free from all mental and emotional torment. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

8. Say out loud “God I ask you to release the emotions that have stored up inside me and to heal my mind and memory regarding how I was wronged.” (Romans 12:2, 15:5-7)

9. Begin to change the way you think about the person. Write down some good things about the person. Whenever negative thoughts about the person arise, immediately say to yourself, “No. I forgave him or her. I cast down thoughts of bitterness and choose to walk in love”. Dwell upon the positive things you have listed about the person. The key is to empty your mind of the negative thoughts and replace them with the positive ones. (Philippians 4:8)

10. Say out loud “I will guard my mouth and let no unwholesome word come out of my mouth. I will speak words of life, power, health and healing. I will be kind and tender hearted. I will not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but I will speak words of blessing upon people”. (Proverbs 21:23)

11. Ask God to bless the person who wronged you. Choose to love them. If possible, do something good for them. (Matthew 5:44)

12. Make a fresh commitment that you will live in peace with the church and your friends, co-workers, neighbours and family from this day forward. (Colossians 3:12-17)

13. Praise God and rejoice that you are free to fulfil your destiny! Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Source: Rod Schneider developed this paper from

  • Exposing the Lie: How to Reverse the Work of the Enemy in Your Life – by Dan Sneed
  •  The Blessing of Favour: Experiencing God’s Supernatural Influence – by Kate McVeigh
  •  Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive– by John Eldredge
  •  Becoming a Prayer Warrior – by Elizabeth Alves

 

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